Rod_Carew29's Blog
Of course some of us are ahead of that proverbial curve in the politics that some who cover sports practice. But for those who are ignorant or clueless--understand what goes on.
This AIN'T about political correctness or ignoring a wrong that a player may have done, but it IS about keeping the criticism real, on point and on topic...nothing more, nothing less.
That idiot who put the story out was trying to set a negative tone before the man even had a chance to be welcomed by his teammates. I tell you...the devil loves to work overtime.***
Anyway....
By Doug Miller / MLB.com
12/22/09 5:38 PM EST
[b]SEATTLE -- David Aardsma is hardly a confrontational guy.
In fact, the Mariners closer is one of the most soft-spoken, polite baseball players you'll find, content with getting his daily work in, blending into the dynamic of a peaceful clubhouse, and being ready to compete when the bullpen doors swing open.
That's why Aardsma was surprised -- and not pleasantly so -- when comments he made to a national sports magazine were misrepresented, leading to an apology from the publication.
Aardsma, reached over the weekend by Sporting News, was interviewed for a story on Felix Hernandez, but the reporter asked a few questions about new acquisition Milton Bradley toward the end of the conversation.
The quote attributed to Aardsma about Bradley, who has had issues in the past with teammates, managers, media and fans, seemed innocent enough.
The magazine wrote that Aardsma said, "As long as he plays the right way, comes to Spring Training ready to work and ready to be part of the team that we have -- good guys [who] put their nose to the ground and bust their butts -- we'll take anybody."
"That part was entirely accurate," Aardsma told MLB.com via cell phone Tuesday afternoon. "I would say the same thing about anybody."
But the headline attached to the story read, "Mariners' closer has message for Milton Bradley: Welcome. Don't mess up the chemistry," and the second quote attributed to Aardsma read, "It's good to have a power left-handed bat [in] Safeco. His ability never has been the question. It's the locker room-type stuff. As long as we figure that out, awesome."
Aardsma said the second quote was put together with pieces of statements that were taken out of context and that the headline, which was picked up almost verbatim by various major-city newspapers around the country, turned his harmless, cordial words into inflammatory fodder. For that, he said, the magazine called him and apologized.
"I'm one of the last people ever to dog anybody," Aardsma said Tuesday. "And I don't know anything about Milton's past. Nothing was truly public other than he didn't get along with some people, and I don't know what happened. And I don't care what happened in his past, either.
"The only thing I care about is us winning as a team and being together as a team. When I found out we got him, I called Milton and welcomed him."
Aardsma says he has long admired what Bradley can do with the bat and that he should fit in well with what the Mariners are trying to accomplish in 2010.
"I am excited for him," Aardsma said. "He's going to be a huge part of this team and probably going to be a huge part of our success. He will be right in the middle of our lineup, and he's going to help my career, too. He'll help the team score a bunch more runs, and that makes my job easier in the bullpen.
"I'll do anything I can to help him. I'm pumped up to have him."
Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
This entry has not received any comments yet. You could be the first to leave one.
Rod_Carew29
38
7,872 Forum Posts
27 Blog Entries
116 News/Blog Comments
0 Reader Score Votes
59 Friends
28 Chalkboard Messages
12 Screenshots
0 Videos
59,833 Arena Visits
Rod_Carew29's Blog Categories
More
Rod_Carew29's Friends
Recent Visitors
The last 10 visitor(s) to this Arena were:
Rod_Carew29's Arena has had 59,833 visits
Rod_Carew29's Arena has had 59,833 visits
Working...